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11th October 2024
04:09pm BST
From movies to TV shows we're really having our moment in the sun and so are our names.
Traditional Irish names have enjoyed a boom in popularity over recent years, both at home and abroad.
However, if you want to avoid the ones that are currently riding high in the trend list, fear not, there are still some truly stunning unique and almost forgotten Gaelic names for both genders out there.
Here are just a selection of our favourites.
Eanna
Baby boys
It's the modern Irish form of the root name Enna and stems from the Gaelic Éan dála, meaning “similar to a bird” or “resembling a bird.”
This name is historically associated with kings and heroes so it's one with significant meaning in our culture.
Mealla
Baby girls
A beautiful but not often used name, it's derived from the Irish for honey Mel, and sweetness.
Saint Mealla/Mella was also the mother of Saint Kevin of Glendalough.
Seanan
Baby boys
A variant of the name Sean, this Irish name means "little wise man", derived from the word sean meaning "wise, old"
Grian
Baby girls and boys
Grian is said to mean "sun goddess" in the case of girls but has recently been used more frequently as a boy's name meaning "sun".
Lugh
Baby boys
Sticking with the sunshine theme, Lugh was the Celtic Sun God and father of Cú Chulainn.
The name translates to "light or brightness".
Treasa
Baby girls
Possibly meaning 'strength,' Treasa is considered to be the Gaelic form of Teresa.
Aodh
Baby boys
Another name with a powerful historical link, Aodh means "fire" and was the title of a god in Irish mythology.
Sorcha
Baby girls
It means "bright" or "shining." It has deep Gaelic roots and is derived from the Old Irish word soirche or sorchae, meaning "brightness."
The name entered the limelight after Irish actress Sorcha Cusack played Jane Eyre in the 1970s television series.
Cael
Baby boys
Cael is a masculine name of Irish origin, meaning “slender” from the word caol. This old Irish moniker arose from Irish folklore where Cael was a member of the legendary warriors known as the Fianna, who were led by the wise and noble Fionn Mac Cumaill.
Céibhfhionn
Baby girls
This moniker means "fair-haired", coming from the old Irish word ciab which translates to "locks, hair" and finn "white, blessed".
In Irish legend, this was the name of one of the three daughters of Bec mac Buain
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